Updated May 2026
CDL Driver Salary in Dallas, Texas (May 2026)
$2,472/week — that's the average CDL driver wage in Dallas, Texas as of May 2026. Median weekly pay sits at $1,950, computed against active postings in Lanefinder's index. Based on 1,664 active CDL postings in Lanefinder's index. 30% of postings include a sign-on bonus, averaging $1,996. Dallas is a major inland freight hub at I-30 / I-20 / I-35E with large intermodal rail yards, dense warehouse and distribution development in the DFW metro, and significant e-commerce and retail fulfillment volumes.
What changed in May 2026
We just started tracking monthly changes for this view. Check back next month to see how rankings have shifted.
How Dallas, Texas compares to Texas
| Dallas, Texas | Texas | Delta | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average weekly pay | $2,472 | $2,223 | +11% |
| Riders-allowed policies | 67% | 60% | +7 pt |
| Take-truck-home | 85% | 79% | +6 pt |
| Pet-friendly fleets | 69% | 63% | +6 pt |
| OTR (long-haul) routes | 83% | 75% | +8 pt |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
The largest gap is on average weekly pay: Dallas, Texas sits 11% above the Texas baseline.
Dallas, Texas CDL salary by hiring type
Across active CDL postings in Dallas, Texas this month, pay varies meaningfully by hiring type. The breakdown below shows the average and median weekly pay for each.
| Hiring type | Avg/wk | Median/wk | Active postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Contractor (1099) | $2,149 | $2,000 | 735 |
| Company Driver (W2) | $1,571 | $1,500 | 552 |
| Owner Operator | $7,090 | $7,000 | 377 |
Source: Lanefinder index, May 2026
What Dallas, Texas drivers actually run
12% of Dallas, Texas's active CDL postings are regional and 83% are OTR; local plus semi-local accounts for the rest (5%).
Guaranteed pay is on offer at 2% of Dallas, Texas postings; dedicated routes at 28%; take-truck-home at 85%. Pet-friendly policies appear at 69% and riders-allowed at 67%.
Driving CDL in Texas
Texas is the largest CDL market in the country and the deepest mix of lane types. Cross-border work out of Laredo and El Paso, oil-field service in the Permian Basin, dedicated retail out of Dallas and Houston, and reefer pulling produce out of the Rio Grande Valley all run from different parts of the state — and they pay very differently. Texas has favorable trucking regulations and no state income tax, which is real money on the back end. The summer heat is the operational variable most newcomers underestimate; equipment, hours, and load-securing all behave differently when ambient temps hit 110°F.
Related guides
- Best trucking companies in Dallas, Texas
- Best owner-operator companies in Dallas, Texas
- CDL driver salary in Texas
Where this data comes from
Four weighted components. Compensation carries 30% and includes pay percentile, sign-on bonus tier, guaranteed-pay availability, and settlement frequency. FMCSA safety carries 25%, built from five SAFER dimensions. Benefits carry 25%, scored separately for W2 versus owner-operator carriers. Operational performance carries 20%, measuring application responsiveness and fleet scale. Updated May 2026.